Australia the first country to allow psychedelic medicines as treatment for depression and PTSD

Australia is to become the first country to allow registered psychiatrists to prescribe psychedelics as medicines, after the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the psychedelic substances in magic mushrooms and MDMA for use by people with particular mental health conditions.

Soon, psychiatrists will be able to prescribe psychedelic drugs containing psilocybin and MDMA to treat patients suffering from depression and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Your regular GP will not be able to prescribe the medicine, as according to the TGA, “Prescribing will be limited to psychiatrists, given their specialised qualifications and expertise to diagnose and treat patients with serious mental health conditions.”

MDMA and psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, will be considered schedule 8 drugs – meaning they’re approved for controlled use when prescribed by a psychiatrist.

The drugs will be made available from July this year.

Antonino Tati